Activities
Flying/Gliding
Cadets are offered opportunities to fly in light aircraft,
gliders as well as other RAF and civil aircraft. There are plenty
of opportunities open to cadets when flying, from aerobatics in
the Grob
Tutor to practising stalls in a Grob Viking
glider. Cadets also get opportunities to fly on a civil
airliner or go on an overseas flight in an RAF Tri-Star, VC10 or
Hercules. A few cadets have also had the opportunity to fly in a
variety of other aircraft including fast jets and the Red Arrows.
There are also exciting opportunities for cadets to learn how to
fly, with scholarships for both powered flight and
gliding.
Camps
Each year during the summer period the cadets are given the
opportunity to attend a Summer Camp. There are many camps for
Cadets to attend from squadron level to International level. These
camps involve residing on a RAF Station and making full use of the
facilities available. Visiting the various sections on RAF
Stations such as search and rescue or the fire section and flights
in RAF aircraft on that station. Work placements within the
various sections in and around the station can also be arranged at
the request of the cadets.
The primary goal is for the cadets to see and
appreciate the way of life within the Royal Air Force.
The whole week is very exhausting for cadets and staff alike,
with activities such as Air Experience Flying, shooting on the RAF
ranges, Navigation exercises, Night exercises, visiting other
places of interest such as aviation museums etc providing a
memorable week away for all.
There are a variety of camps run by the Air
Training Corps. Some of the camps that you can attend are:
- Weekend Camps
- Adventure Training Camps
- Summer and Easter Camps (Including overseas camps)
- The International Air Cadet Exchange programme (IACE)
Drill
The Air Cadets, as a military youth organisation, sets itself
and it's members very high standards, including dress and
behaviour. Drill is a vital part of ensuring those high standards
and is also key to encouraging team work.
Drill is training Cadets how to march. There are various
commands that each Cadet must learn and know how to respond to.
The idea is to enable Cadets to move about in a smart and
organised fashion. It is also a good way of creating well
disciplined Cadets, who can work together.
When a group of twenty cadets walk on to a drill
square they are individuals, but as soon as a session of drill
begins the cadets become a team following the orders given by one
person. Instead of twenty individual feet hitting the ground,
there is only one 'bang' this is result of practise and teamwork.
Drill is also used to move cadets from one place
to another in a smart orderly fashion. This shows civilians and
members of the forces just how well disciplined the cadets of the
Air Training Corps are and by no means least It has a ceremonial
purpose which comes in use at the annual drill competition and on
other public parades such as Battle of Britain day and Remembrance
Sunday.
Trips to foreign
countries
Sports
There are many sports to get involved in as a Cadet. There are
competitions held between Squadrons within a Wing, such as
Football, Swimming and Athletics. Winning such a competition gives
you the opportunity to compete against other Wings followed by
Regional level and possibly at International level. We hold
Physical Training (PT) nights at the squadron. The programme is
varied so that cadets can both focus on getting fit but also have
some fun whilst doing it. Various camps may also have PT sessions
or activities such as the obstacle course, which will also improve
a Cadet's fitness as well as confidence and teamwork skills.
Adventure Training
A major part of a cadets life will be spent doing some form of
adventure training, taking part in activities such as mountain
biking, canoeing, hill walking, climbing, and even hang-gliding
and parachuting. These activities bring out skills such as
leadership, problem solving and teamwork, evoke a sense of
adventure, fun and excitement and are an important part of the
training syllabus.
There is also plenty on the program for the future, such as
another joint walking and canoe expedition in October, and a week
long adventure training camp at Sennybridge Camp in South Wales
with activities like hill walking, canoeing, horse riding and
archery.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
The Duke of Edinburgh award aims to provide an enjoyable,
challenging and rewarding programme of personal development for
cadets. It is achievement focused with 3 separate awards:
Bronze, Silver and Gold. For each award there are 4 sections
to complete: service, skill, physical recreation and an
expedition. All encourage personal discovery and growth,
self reliance, perseverance and responsibility to themselves and
others. It is possible to complete all sections within the
ATC with regular attendance and commitment.
D of E has a strong link with Adventure Training which enables
us to offer walking and canoeing weekends away where first aid,
navigation, campcraft, food and cooking, country/water way codes
and team building skills are all put to the test in preparation
for the final expedition.
In October 2007, 342 along with other sqds in the wing will be
heading to RAF Benson offering access to The Chilterns and The
River Thames; ideal terrain for those planning to undertake their
qualifying venture and perfect training ground for those new to
journeying safely in new environments.
For further information go to www.theaward.org
Cadet
Vocational Qualification
Cadet Vocational Qualification Organisation (CVQO) is a
registered charity responsible for managing Vocational
Qualifications for members of the Combined Cadet Force, Sea Cadet
Corps, Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps. CVQO is
dedicated to helping both cadets and instructors of the Cadet
Forces get ahead personally and professionally. The qualifications
on offer have been designed to show employers and educators the
wide range of skills that young people and adults learn in the
Cadet Forces.
CVQO offers all Cadets over 16 the opportunity to earn a choice
of internationally recognised vocational qualifications that are
respected by employers as well as institutes of higher
education. Whether your objective is further education or
improved opportunities in the workforce, a qualification through
CVQO gives you the additional edge you need to reach those goals
for the Cadet training you are already doing. Qualifications
currently on offer:
The BTEC First Diploma in Public
Services (worth 4 GCSEs )
The BTEC First Diploma in Music
(worth 4 GCSEs )
The BTEC First Diploma in Engineering
The
ILM Level 2 Certificate in Team Leading
All cadets are automatically signed up to the programme when
they join the squadron subject to completing their probationary
period. Although the cadet may complete the requirements
sooner, they will have up to two years to complete the
requirements for the BTEC diploma.
For further information go to www.cvqo.org
First
Aid
342 Squadron are beginning to focus on First Aid. Recently
several adult staff and instructor cadets have gone through first
aid training and are now qualified to pass on their skills on
first aid nights at the squadron. First Aid provides cadets with a
priceless skill, that could save lives of not only other Cadets
but also their friends and family. Again, this is another skill
that employers may look for.
Leadership
skills
The leadership skills gained by Cadets, particularly
Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO’s), are beneficial beyond the
purpose of managing fellow cadets and themselves in an efficient
and effective manner. Public speaking, giving orders and
drill commands, and conducting initiative exercises (where a team
is given a task which must be completed with the guidance of a
leader) develop skills which may exceed those of professional
business managers. Because of this, employers will often
take note when a potential employee has been a member of the ATC,
particularly a high ranking one.
Shooting
Cadets at all levels have the opportunity to participate in
rifle Shooting and this remains one of the most popular Cadet
activities. Cadets are given dry training and have to pass a
Weapons Handling Test before they can shoot on their own. Cadets
are well supervised when shooting by qualified Squadron Staff who
ensure that the range is run safely and efficiently.
The Cadets start with the .22 rifle, which uses small bullets
causing no recoil. This makes it possible for Cadets of any age to
shoot easily. Older Cadets, mainly NCOs can progress onto the L98
A1 Cadet Rifle. This is a much larger and more powerful magazine
rifle. This rifle has a larger recoil, but is more accurate and
much more fun to shoot.
The Cadets can gain a Shooting Marksman by Shooting 5 shots
within a 2 pence piece from a distance of 25 yards. With practice
this can become easily manageable and is yet another achievement
to add to a CV or Record of Achievements.
